Giants place Justin Pugh on season-ending IR with back injury

The Giants placed the offensive lineman on the injured reserve on Thursday after his ongoing back injury had kept him out of the last four games.

Pugh underwent an MRI last week after being unable to finish a practice and got a second opinion on Wednesday where it was determined he would not need surgery but would need to rest and rehab, effectively ending his season.

Pugh split time between left guard and right tackle this season, showing his versatility on a banged-up offensive line.

Pugh is a free agent at the end of the season and may have played his last game as a Giant if they do not re-sign him.

“I would think any guy that’s in that situation would be a little bit bummed out,” interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo said. “You’d have to ask him specifically, but he’s a football player, likes playing the game and I’m sure he’s disappointed he’s not going to play the rest of the season.”

DT Damon Harrison was also limited but it was not injury-related. Jason Pierre-Paul was a full participant after being limited on Wednesday.

CAPTAIN SNACKS

Damon “Snacks” Harrison said before the start of the season that he would not want to be a captain, but with Jonathan Casillas on the injured reserve, Spagnuolo has given that honor to the veteran defensive tackle.

Justin Pugh suffered a setback last week and has missed the last four games for the Giants.

Harrison has perhaps been the most consistent player on the defense despite a disappointing 2-11 season, and he could even land a spot in the Pro Bowl.

However, he has always shied away from being labeled as the leader of the group, saying “we’ve got other guys who are better suited for that.”

Yet, players on the team seem to think he is the one.

“They are just being nice man,” he said, chuckling. “They’re afraid of me so they’re just being nice.”

Harrison added that he hopes he can restore some of the pride in the building over the Giants’ final three games.

“I love the game of football. The reason why I started playing football is still the reason why I play today. It’s not for the money, it’s not for the glory or any of that,” he said. “Obviously, I want to be a great player. I want to be one of the best players to ever play when it’s all said and done. There’s a lot of pride in this building and I just want to help restore that.”